The cost of electricity in Otago is rising and the trend is set to continue, sparking a warning by some providers that customers should consider switching companies.
The latest data on national power prices has been released by the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Employment in its quarterly survey of domestic electricity prices to August 15.
It shows in the 12 months to mid-August all but a few Otago customers were charged between $47 and $309 more, depending on their location and electricity provider.
The only customers paying less were those with TrustPower on the Waitaki network, who saved an average of $201.
Figures were based on the average consumer using 8000kWh each year.
Prices per kWh varied between electricity retail and line companies.
Powershop chief executive Ari Sargent said it paid for customers to review prices with a mind to changing to a cheaper option.
He said a twice-yearly or annual review could save customers hundreds of dollars.
"Most retailers change their price on an annual cycle and there are some reasonably big savings to be had," he said.
But TrustPower spokesman Graeme Purches said in order to make savings customers had to take more into account when thinking of switching companies.
Electricity retailers did not set prices in unison and offered various deals at different times, so the cheapest option at any one time changed within weeks, he said.
"People need to be careful that they are comparing apples with apples," Mr Purches said.
Dunedin's electricity price increase in the past year was about the same as in Auckland, Wellington and Christchurch.
Ongoing work on the national transmission grid meant line charges would continue to increase throughout the country.
In Otago, line charge increased more than 10% in Waitaki, Central Otago and Queenstown between August 2011 and August this year, costing consumers up to $112 extra.
The national average line charge increased by 8.6% - about $67 over 12 months.
